Shiping Lychee Pastry

Shiping Lychee Pastry

　　Shiping Lychee Pastry is a renowned local delicacy handmade in Shiping County, Yunnan Province. Its small, delicate appearance and shape and color closely resembling that of a lychee give it its name. The main ingredients of Shiping Lychee Pastry include first-grade flour, white sugar, lard, rose petals, sesame seeds, tangerine peel, powdered sugar, and citron shreds, all carefully prepared in precise proportions. First, the dough is made by mixing flour, oil, and cold boiled water in a ratio of 20:5:7, while the pastry dough is made by mixing flour and oil in a 2:1 ratio. Then, the dough and pastry are combined to form the outer layer, and a filling is created from white sugar, lard, rose petals, sesame seeds, tangerine peel, powdered sugar, and citron shreds. Next, the pastry-wrapped dough is cut into small pieces, filled with the sweet mixture, and shaped like lychees. Finally, they are deep-fried in hot oil until golden brown. Each Shiping Lychee Pastry weighs less than 10 grams. They are exquisitely shaped, small and delicate, crisp and fluffy in texture, and pleasantly sweet to taste. (Honghe)